Middle East

| VATICAN

Leo XIV spoke to the participants to the plenary assembly of the Reunion of Aid Agencies for the Oriental Churches (ROACO), lamenting the "exodus" of Eastern Christians caused by instability that always falls “hardest on the poor.”  For the pontiff, God is always “The source of goodness”. The pontiff also slammed those who waste money on killing, and “seek monologues”, while “you create dialogue”. “The Christian East can only be preserved if it is understood”.


Three Indian nationals died in a US attack on a tanker carrying Iranian oil. Despite the public outrage, New Delhi is keeping a low profile to avoid angering Washington: in the background, a possible meeting between Trump and Modi on the sidelines of the G7. Meanwhile, the White House announced a deal with Tehran. Saudi Arabia reboots trade with Lebanon.

| 12/06/2026
| GULF – INDIA – UNITED STATES

Israeli arms exports reached a record US$ 19.2 billion in 2025, with purchases nearly doubling in the Asia-Pacific. Vietnam is one of Israel’s main partners, making it, its the second-largest supplier after Russia. Nguyễn Thị Thanh Nhàn, a businesswoman who fell out of favour with the authorities and was sentenced in absentia to 30 years in prison, played a key role in this. India, Thailand, and Singapore are also nurturing military ties with the Jewish state in order to develop their own capabilities.

| 11/06/2026
| VIETNAM – ISRAEL
by Dario Salvi

From the FIFA Peace Prize to Trump to short-term visas for Iranian players, the 2026 edition will be the biggest with 48 teams and 104 matches, but also very controversial. Nine Asian teams will take part, with two newcomers: Jordan and Uzbekistan. The hopes of a continent rest with South Korea and Japan. Despite billions invested in football, China failed to qualify.

| 11/06/2026
| ASIA – WORLD CUP
by Dario Salvi

The Israeli activist, a participant in the Gaza peace talks, slams the leadership of a “desperate” prime minister who, beyond the never-ending war, has “no successes to present on any front." The country, which will go to the polls in October, is at a “turning point”. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is still "terrible," while talks continue for a diplomatic solution.

| 10/06/2026
| ISRAEL – PALESTINE
by Dario Salvi

The vicar of Arabia spoke to AsiaNews about the uncertainty and fragility caused by the war between Israel (and the United States) and Iran. In the migrant community, their presence is seen as short-term. Setting roots and a stable presence are hard to do. While the truce had given rise to the illusion of a possible return to "normalcy”, Bahrain and Kuwait have been hit again in recent days in new attacks.

| 09/06/2026
| GATE OF THE EAST
by Fady Noun

The US president warns the parties to respect the ceasefire. Netanyahu fans the conflict and continues to attack Lebanon. Aoun wants to free the country from Iran’s intolerable hold. Addressing the Israelis, he asked them whether they are fed up with a war that has been going on since 1948.

| 08/06/2026
| LEBANON – ISRAEL – IRAN
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“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”